Burleson acknowledges importance of preseason

FILE - In this July 26, 2013 file photo, Detroit Lions receiver Nate Burleson runs through drills during an NFL football training camp in Allen Park, Mich. Burleson and Ryan Broyles appear to be healthy after having season-ending injuries, and the Detroit Lions need them to be because receiver Calvin Johnson needs some help. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

As Nate Burleson enters his 11th NFL season, he’s picked up a few things. One of them is the importance of preseason games — yes, even the fourth one.

“You should approach this like this is your Super Bowl because one big game can change everything,’’ the Detroit Lions wide receiver said.

While he’s a lock to make the 53-man roster, for others their immediate future depends on their success in the Lions’ game at the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. (Kickoff is 7 p.m. It will air live in Detroit on WXYZ-TV, Channel 7.) Jobs aren’t won on one game’s performance alone, but a player on the bubble needs a good game to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

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The Lions are at 75 players now. The cut to 53 must be made by 6 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s critical No. 1, making our team and No. 2, playing well enough that they can be considered by other teams,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said. “We’re not going to be able to keep all 75 guys. We’re going to have to cut down and other teams are in the same position. Those guys are competing not just with guys in our own locker room for spots on our team, but across the NFL.

“This is certainly a time some of those guys will have their most extended play time during the preseason, which will be important also for them to be able to show well,’’ Schwartz added.

Expect to see the starters just briefly. You probably won’t see some of them at all — like Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh and Louis Delmas who haven’t practiced much.

The Lions’ depth chart remains a work in progress.

Questions remain about the starters at right tackle and right guard.

It appears Patrick Edwards has claimed the fourth wide receiver spot.

“I remember a couple years ago people were asking me who my dark horse was and I said clearly Patrick Edwards,’’ Burleson said. “Not only was his resume strong from college, but I saw something on the field a lot of guys don’t have -- that’s one great speed, good hands and he’s a really strong route runner.’’

His preseason numbers aren’t gaudy — four catches for 16 yards — but he’s had a fairly solid camp.

If the Lions keep five wide receivers, that fifth spot is open with Matt Willis, Kris Durham and Micheal Spurlock the leading contenders.

“There are some evaluations that will come right down to the wire,’’ Schwartz said. “You want to get good physical evaluations and you want to see the team execute the schemes that are called. Most of all, you want to win the game. We’re going to try to do all three of those.”

The Lions are 2-1 in the preseason with wins over the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. They lost at Cleveland in a game that could at best be called ugly, even by preseason standards.

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